Location based notification services

ABSTRACT

Architecture that generates a notification when a user arrives at a location, but without exposing identity of the location. Moreover, the notification can be generated and transmitted at all times. The architecture comprises a reminder service that manages all reminder requests and approvals, a notification engine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at a specific location or one of a general category of location, and a user interface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed when the target user arrives at the point of interest and approves other user reminder requests. The architecture can be run on a mobile phone, and manages user requests and user approvals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user the target user arrived at one of previously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general category of destination can be specified, rather than a specific point of interest.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,481, (U.S. PatentPublication No. US-2012-0306659-A1), filed May 30, 2011.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous cases when people want to know when children,employees, friends, vehicles (e.g., buses, trains, cars, etc.), etc.,arrive or depart or just linger at a specific location, and also want tobe notified immediately when the arrival, departure, or lingering eventoccurs. However, in all other cases, the location could remain private.For example, parents want to know if a child left the school perimeterin the middle of the day (e.g., during workdays only), a parent wants toknow if a son is driving on the highway on a rainy night, or a teenagerwants to know when a friend arrives at any mall during weekends.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The disclosed architecture can generate a notification when a userarrives at, lingers in, or departs from a location--with or withoutexposing the location information. Exposure of the location informationcan be managed according to permissions or privileges. Moreover, thenotification can be generated and transmitted at any and all times.

The architecture provides the capability to run on a mobile phone (e.g.,with geo-location capabilities), and manages user requests and userapprovals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user(e.g., via a mobile phone, desktop computer, a portable computer, and/orother suitable device) that target user arrived at one ofpreviously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general categoryor class of location can be specified, such as “malls in the city ofSeattle” (the point of interest does not need to be specific but can bea member of the class).

The architecture can comprise a reminder service that manages allreminder requests and approvals (for privacy issues), a notificationengine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at aspecific location or one of a general category of location, and a userinterface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed whenthe target user arrives at the destination and approves other userreminder requests.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects are described herein in connection with thefollowing description and the annexed drawings. These aspects areindicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed hereincan be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended tobe within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thedisclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as theyare better understood by reference to the following description whentaken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a notification system in accordance with thedisclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed embodiment of a notification systemin accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system that includes components and entities forreminder management, notification management, geo-location processes,and client operations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer-implemented notification method inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates further aspects of the method of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a computing system that executesnotification and reminders in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary smartmobile device that processes notification and reminders in accordancewith the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed architecture includes a notification system that sends oneor more notifications and reminders to requesting users based ongeographic location of a target user relative to one or more points ofinterest (geographical locations). The system and methods can run oncomputing devices such as mobile phones, portable computers, desktopcomputers, and so on, and can utilize online services.

Generally, the architecture can include a reminders component (e.g., aservice) that provides user interfaces (UIs) which enable the creationand configuration of reminder requests and approvals, and a notificationcomponent that communicates one or more notifications when the targetuser reaches, enters, and/or exits the specified point of interest andmaintains fresh data about the points of interest that satisfiesrefreshable queries.

The UIs enable the user to set reminders that are displayed when thetarget user meets the geo-location criteria for the location (and anyother defined filters such as time, date, speed, weather, priorlocations visited, etc.), and approve other user reminder requests.

The disclosed architecture can be employed for a wide variety ofpurposes that include ensuring the safety of children and adults,identifying geolocation for taxation purposes (e.g., mileage),identifying geolocation for job performance (e.g., electronic time cardfor arrival at a construction site), identifying geolocation informationof property movement and utilization, and so on.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsare used to refer to like elements throughout. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It maybe evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate adescription thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theclaimed subject matter.

FIG. 1 illustrates a notification system 100 in accordance with thedisclosed architecture. The system 100 can include a reminder component102 that manages configuration and approval of a reminder 104 related to(via a geographical relationship 106) the geographic location of atarget device 108 relative to a point of interest (POI) 110. Therelationship 106 between the target device 108 and the point of interest110 can be defined according to proximity of the target device 108 tothe point of interest 110, if the target device 108 is detected to haveentered the point of interest 110, if the target device 108 has exitedthe point of interest 110, and/or lingered (dwell time) at the point ofinterest 110, for example.

A notification component 112 of the system 100 monitors the geographicallocation of the target device 108 and communicates a notification 114(denoted NOTIF) to a requesting device 116 according to the reminder 104when the geographic location of the target device 108 meets geo-locationcriteria (e.g., near, in, or exiting) related to the point of interest110. Although showing only a single requesting device 116, it is withincontemplation of the disclosed architecture that there can be multiplerequesting devices, as is described herein below.

The target device 108 can be a mobile device (e.g., a cellphone) thegeographical location of which is monitored, and the requesting device116 can be a mobile device (e.g., a cellphone) to which the notification114 is communicated. Alternatively, the target device can be a mobilephone and the requesting devices can include one or more of a computingdevice (e.g., portable computer, desktop computer, tablet computer,etc.), a web server, a mobile phone, etc. The point of interest 110 canbe a single geographic location specified in association with thereminder 104.

The point of interest 110 can be one of a class of locations (e.g., allrestaurants, all shopping malls in a five mile radius, etc.) specifiedin association with the reminder 104 and the notification 114 iscommunicated when the target device 108 meets the geo-location criteriafor one location (e.g., POI 110) of the class. In other words, a queryprovided to the system 100 can be “all shopping malls”. Thus, when thetarget device 108 (as carried by a user) enters any shopping mall, suchas the point of interest 110, the notification 114 and reminder 104 aretriggered for communication to all intended and approved requestingdevices (e.g., requesting device 116).

In this embodiment, the notification component 112 can receivegeo-location information 118 that determines the geographicalrelationship 106 between the target device 108 and the point of interest110. The geo-location information 118 can be obtained from a technologythat identifies location of an entity, such as global positioning system(GPS), triangulation, access points, and other techniques used toascertain the geographical location of the entity (e.g., cell phone).

Geo-fencing technology can be employed to determine the proximityrelative to a point of interest. A geo-fence is a predefined virtualperimeter (e.g., within a two mile radius) relative to a physicalgeographic area. When the geo-location of the target device 108 matchesthe geo-location information that defines the virtual perimeter (denotedby the dotted line object surrounding the POI 110 and other POIs),specified events can be triggered to occur, such as sending thenotification 114 to the requesting device 116.

FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed embodiment of a notification system200 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In thisimplementation, the notification component 112 can include ageo-location component 202 that identifies geo-location points ofinterest (e.g., POI 110) relative to a query (e.g., all shopping malls).The query can be refreshed to include added points of interest (e.g.,POI 204) and removed points of interest (e.g., POI 206) associated witha geo-fence. The reminder 104 is then processed based on the refreshedquery.

The reminder component 102 can include a user interface (UI) 208 thatfacilitates creation of the reminder 104 (and other reminders), approvalof the reminder 104 from the requesting device 116, and an actionassociated with the reminder 104. In other words, the UI 208 can beincluded as part of the client user interface of the target device 108,or any suitable client device (e.g., desktop computer). Alternatively,or in combination therewith, the capabilities of the UI 208 can be madeaccessible via a web service that the use of the target device 108. Forexample, a user may log into the web service to access the functionalityto create and/or approve the reminder 104. Likewise, the requestingdevice 116 can access the web service (via the UI 208) to create thereminder 104 and define associated actions. It is to be understood thatthe reminder component 102 can include additional functionality,including, but not limited to, performing actions related to thenotification component 112, as well as accessing the geo-locationinformation 118. In an alternative embodiment, the notificationcomponent 112 can be part of the reminder component 102 such that thegeo-location information 118 is received into the reminder component102.

The system 200 can further comprise a filter component 210 that appliesa filter parameter to the geo-location criteria. The notification 114 iscommunicated to the requesting device 116 based on the filter parameter.

The system 200 can further comprise a permissions component 212 thatprocesses a request by the requesting device 116 to accessidentification of location of the target device 108 and an approval ofthe target device 108 to allow geolocation identification by therequesting device 116.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 that includes components and entitiesfor reminder management, notification management, geo-locationprocesses, and client operations. The system 300 comprises a remindercomponent (e.g., service) that manages all reminder requests andapprovals (e.g., for privacy issues) as well as reminder actions. Thenotification component 112 sends one or more notifications to therequesting device. A user interface enables the user to set remindersthat will be displayed when the target device triggers geographicalevents (e.g., arrives at the point of interest). The user interfacefurther enables the target device user to approve reminder requests fromone or more requesting users (devices).

The system 300 illustrates a reminder settings UI 302 that furtherincludes user interfaces such as a reminder creation UI 304, a reminderremoval UI 306, and an actions UI 308. Other user interfaces can bedesigned and utilized as desired. The reminder creation UI 304 enablesthe user to create one or more reminders for a single geo-fence event(the target device intersecting the virtual perimeter) or multipleevents entering a point of interest and then exiting the point ofinterest. The reminder approval UI 306 enables the user to allowgeolocation identification or to not allow geolocation identification.The actions UI 308 enables the user to set and associate actions withthe reminder.

The reminder actions 310 include, but are not limited to, notifyingcontacts 312 (send one or messages such as an SMS (short messageservice) message to a specified list of contacts, an email to aspecified list of contacts), call a user 314 (call a specified phonenumber or an emergency phone number (e.g., 9-1-1)), send geo-locationidentifier data 316 (send specific GPS trails (geolocation informationin an emergency situation)), and record sensor data 318 (e.g., audiosignals such as voices in the immediate vicinity of the target device(e.g., phone) and then sending some or all of this data to a designatedentity or system).

The reminder component (the reminder settings UI 302 and reminderactions 310) can be a network service (a server side application thatcommunicates with the clients, including target and requesting devices)and enables the following additional functionalities: the target user ofthe target device can give permission to other users (requesting usersof requesting devices) to obtain the target user's location (e.g.,obtain the target user's location at specific times); the requestinguser can add and/or modify reminders (e.g., when the target user deviceis leaving a school perimeter or area); requesting users can maintainreminders from different machines (e.g., smartphones, computers, etc.);maintains a user base with privacy-related data; and provides fresh datafor refreshable queries (e.g., “restaurants in Seattle”).

Additionally, the actions 310 can include activating one or more sensorson the target device to capture data which can be used to measure speedof the target device. The speed can indicate if the target device ismoving according to a walking speed, jogging speed, running speed,driving speed, varying speed sequences (e.g., indicate approaching thepoint of interest, then slowing down to park followed by walking toaccess the point of interest), and so on.

The system 300 also includes the notification component 112, which inthis embodiment, further includes a geo-fencing engine 320, a filterconfirmation component 322 and query refresh component 324. Thenotification component notifies the requesting device (User X) when thetarget device (User Y) triggered the geo-fence and/or arrived at a pointof interest.

The geo-fencing engine 320 provides the capability to employ geo-fencingtechnology to signal when the target device (and user) reaches specifiedgeographic locations such as a specific point of interest, enters thepoint of interest, exits the point of interest, and so on. Thegeo-fencing engine 320 notifies the requesting user when a target userhas entered and/or exited one of the specified points of interest, andcan store all the geo-fence data (e.g., geo-location information of thevirtual fence associated with an area, geo-location of the targetdevice, etc.).

The filter confirmation component 322 enables the creation andapplication of filter parameters. The parameters can include, but arenot limited to, time filter (e.g., prefer the reminder only inassociation with a specific time), places filter (e.g., prefer onelocation over another location, only certain points of interest, etc.),the time and date, user speed, user heading, and/or environmentalconditions (e.g., weather, road conditions, route conditions, trafficconditions, etc.).

The query refresh component 324 enables a standing query to beapplicable to not only the original points of interest at the time thequery was created and presented, but over time, to changes in the pointsof interest related to the query. In other words, original points ofinterest at the time the query was created can change due to theconstruction of new points of interest (e.g., a new shopping mall) anddue to points of interest that no longer exist (e.g., police checkpoints). The points of interest relevant to the standing query are thenupdated automatically (e.g., dynamically) based on the changes to anarea or region of interest. This further dynamically changes thelocations form which the reminder(s) will be triggered. For example, ifa reminder was originally created to execute based on discovery of ashopping mall that includes Vendor X, the construction of a new shoppingmall at a different location in the region of interest that includes anew location of Vendor X can also trigger a reminder (a new reminder) orthe same reminder as for the original Vendor X.

In an implementation for a mobile device, a mobile operation system 326of the mobile device can include a location subsystem 328 thatfacilitates determination of the geographical location of the mobiledevice. The operation subsystem 326 can further include an orientationand motion subsystem 330 which includes sensors (e.g., accelerometer)that facilitate the determination of speed and heading, for example, ofthe associated mobile device. A voice subsystem 332 can include thehardware and software for receiving and processing voice signals (e.g.,speech).

It is to be understood that where user information (e.g., identifyinggeo-location information) may be made available to and utilized byothers, the user is provided the option to opt-in or to opt-out ofallowing this information to be captured and utilized. Accordingly, asecurity component can be provided which enables the user to opt-inand/or opt-out of identifying geolocation information as well aspersonal information that may have been obtained and utilizedthereafter. The user can be provided with notice of the collection ofinformation, for example, and the opportunity to provide or deny consentto do so. Consent can take several forms. Opt-in consent imposes on theuser to take an affirmative action before the data is collected.Alternatively, opt-out consent imposes on the subscriber to take anaffirmative action to prevent the collection of data before that data iscollected. This is similar to implied consent in that by doing nothing,the user allows the data collection after having been adequatelyinformed. The security component ensures the proper collection, storage,and access to the user information while allowing for the dynamicselection and presentation of the content, features, and/or servicesthat assist the user to obtain the benefits of a richer user experienceand to access to more relevant information.

Put another way, a notification system is provided that comprises areminder component that includes a user interface which facilitatesmanagement of a reminder to a requesting device based on location of atarget device relative to a point of interest, a permissions componentthat processes a request from the requesting device to accessgeo-location information associated with the target device and anapproval from the target device to allow identification of geolocationby the requesting device, a geo-location component that identifies thegeographic location of the target device relative to the point ofinterest based on a query, and a notification component thatcommunicates a notification to the requesting device when the geographiclocation of the target device matches a virtual perimeter defined inassociation with the point of interest.

The query can define a single geographic point of interest or a class ofpoints of interest, the notification is communicated when the targetdevice matches the virtual perimeter. The notification componentrefreshes the query to include added points of interest associated withthe virtual perimeter and removed points of interest associated with thevirtual perimeter, and the reminder and notification are processed basedon the refreshed query. The system can further comprise a filtercomponent that applies a filter to information associated with thereminder, the notification is communicated to a user and/or multipleusers defined in the reminder. The reminder includes reminder actionsthat when processed, at least one of notify contacts, call a userdevice, send geo-location information, or sense and record surroundinginformation. The notification component validates that the target deviceis at the point of interest based on conditions that include at leastone of time, date, speed of the target device, heading of the targetdevice, or environmental conditions.

Included herein is a set of flow charts representative of exemplarymethodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosedarchitecture. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the oneor more methodologies shown herein, for example, in the form of a flowchart or flow diagram, are shown and described as a series of acts, itis to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are notlimited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith,occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from thatshown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art willunderstand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively berepresented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in astate diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology maybe required for a novel implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer-implemented notification method inaccordance with the disclosed architecture. At 400, a query is input tomonitor a target computing device relative to a geographical point ofinterest. At 402, a reminder is configured to be associated with thetarget computing device. At 404, the geographical location of the targetcomputing device is monitored relative to the geographical point ofinterest. At 406, the reminder is processed based on the geographicallocation of the target computing device relative to the geographicalpoint of interest. At 408, a notification is automatically communicatedto a requesting computing device based on the geographical location ofthe target computing device relative to the point of interest.

FIG. 5 illustrates further aspects of the method of FIG. 4. Note thatthe flow indicates that each block can represent a step that can beincluded, separately or in combination with other blocks, as additionalaspects of the method represented by the flow chart of FIG. 4. At 500,approval is requested from the target computing device to monitorassociated sensed data of the target computing device. At 502, actionsare defined associated with the reminder, the actions processed inresponse to execution of the reminder. At 504, the query is refreshed toinclude new points of interest not previously included in the query. At506, the notification is communicated to multiple requesting computingdevices. At 508, actions of the reminder are filtered based on filtercriteria.

As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” areintended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of software and tangible hardware, software, or software inexecution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to,tangible components such as a processor, chip memory, mass storagedevices (e.g., optical drives, solid state drives, and/or magneticstorage media drives), and computers, and software components such as aprocess running on a processor, an object, an executable, a datastructure (stored in volatile or non-volatile storage media), a module,a thread of execution, and/or a program. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a server and the server can be a component. Oneor more components can reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution, and a component can be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. The word “exemplary” may beused herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration.Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarilyto be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects ordesigns.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing system 600 that executes notification and reminders inaccordance with the disclosed architecture. However, it is appreciatedthat the some or all aspects of the disclosed methods and/or systems canbe implemented as a system-on-a-chip, where analog, digital, mixedsignals, and other functions are fabricated on a single chip substrate.In order to provide additional context for various aspects thereof, FIG.6 and the following description are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of the suitable computing system 600 in which the variousaspects can be implemented. While the description above is in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions that can run on oneor more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that a novelembodiment also can be implemented in combination with other programmodules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

The computing system 600 for implementing various aspects includes thecomputer 602 having processing unit(s) 604, a computer-readable storagesuch as a system memory 606, and a system bus 608. The processingunit(s) 604 can be any of various commercially available processors suchas single-processor, multi-processor, single-core units and multi-coreunits. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the novelmethods can be practiced with other computer system configurations,including minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers (e.g., desktop, laptop, etc.), hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

The system memory 606 can include computer-readable storage (physicalstorage media) such as a volatile (VOL) memory 610 (e.g., random accessmemory (RAM)) and non-volatile memory (NON-VOL) 612 (e.g., ROM, EPROM,EEPROM, etc.). A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in thenon-volatile memory 612, and includes the basic routines that facilitatethe communication of data and signals between components within thecomputer 602, such as during startup. The volatile memory 610 can alsoinclude a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The system bus 608 provides an interface for system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 606 to the processingunit(s) 604. The system bus 608 can be any of several types of busstructure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or withouta memory controller), and a peripheral bus (e.g., PCI, PCle, AGP, LPC,etc.), using any of a variety of commercially available busarchitectures.

The computer 602 further includes machine readable storage subsystem(s)614 and storage interface(s) 616 for interfacing the storagesubsystem(s) 614 to the system bus 608 and other desired computercomponents. The storage subsystem(s) 614 (physical storage media) caninclude one or more of a hard disk drive (HDD), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD), and/or optical disk storage drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive DVDdrive), for example. The storage interface(s) 616 can include interfacetechnologies such as EIDE, ATA, SATA, and IEEE 1394, for example.

One or more programs and data can be stored in the memory subsystem 606,a machine readable and removable memory subsystem 618 (e.g., flash driveform factor technology), and/or the storage subsystem(s) 614 (e.g.,optical, magnetic, solid state), including an operating system 620, oneor more application programs 622, other program modules 624, and programdata 626.

The operating system 620, one or more application programs 622, otherprogram modules 624, and/or program data 626 can include entities andcomponents of the system 100 of FIG. 1, entities and components of thesystem 200 of FIG. 2, the reminder component and mobile operation system326 of system 300 of FIG. 3, and the methods represented by theflowcharts of FIGS. 4-5, for example.

Generally, programs include routines, methods, data structures, othersoftware components, etc., that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. All or portions of the operating system620, applications 622, modules 624, and/or data 626 can also be cachedin memory such as the volatile memory 610, for example. It is to beappreciated that the disclosed architecture can be implemented withvarious commercially available operating systems or combinations ofoperating systems (e.g., as virtual machines).

The storage subsystem(s) 614 and memory subsystems (606 and 618) serveas computer readable media for volatile and non-volatile storage ofdata, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth.Such instructions, when executed by a computer or other machine, cancause the computer or other machine to perform one or more acts of amethod. The instructions to perform the acts can be stored on onemedium, or could be stored across multiple media, so that theinstructions appear collectively on the one or more computer-readablestorage media, regardless of whether all of the instructions are on thesame media.

Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby the computer 602 and includes volatile and non-volatile internaland/or external media that is removable or non-removable. For thecomputer 602, the media accommodate the storage of data in any suitabledigital format. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of computer readable media can be employed such as zipdrives, magnetic tape, flash memory cards, flash drives, cartridges, andthe like, for storing computer executable instructions for performingthe novel methods of the disclosed architecture.

A user can interact with the computer 602, programs, and data usingexternal user input devices 628 such as a keyboard and a mouse. Otherexternal user input devices 628 can include a microphone, an IR(infrared) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, camera recognitionsystems, a stylus pen, touch screen, gesture systems (e.g., eyemovement, head movement, etc.), and/or the like. The user can interactwith the computer 602, programs, and data using onboard user inputdevices 630 such as a touchpad, microphone, keyboard, etc., where thecomputer 602 is a portable computer, for example. These and other inputdevices are connected to the processing unit(s) 604 through input/output(I/O) device interface(s) 632 via the system bus 608, but can beconnected by other interfaces such as a parallel port, IEEE 1394 serialport, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, short-range wireless(e.g., Bluetooth) and other personal area network (PAN) technologies,etc. The I/O device interface(s) 632 also facilitate the use of outputperipherals 634 such as printers, audio devices, camera devices, and soon, such as a sound card and/or onboard audio processing capability.

One or more graphics interface(s) 636 (also commonly referred to as agraphics processing unit (GPU)) provide graphics and video signalsbetween the computer 602 and external display(s) 638 (e.g., LCD, plasma)and/or onboard displays 640 (e.g., for portable computer). The graphicsinterface(s) 636 can also be manufactured as part of the computer systemboard.

The computer 602 can operate in a networked environment (e.g., IP-based)using logical connections via a wired/wireless communications subsystem642 to one or more networks and/or other computers. The other computerscan include workstations, servers, routers, personal computers,microprocessor-based entertainment appliances, peer devices or othercommon network nodes, and typically include many or all of the elementsdescribed relative to the computer 602. The logical connections caninclude wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN), awide area network (WAN), hotspot, and so on. LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network such as the Internet.

When used in a networking environment the computer 602 connects to thenetwork via a wired/wireless communication subsystem 642 (e.g., anetwork interface adapter, onboard transceiver subsystem, etc.) tocommunicate with wired/wireless networks, wired/wireless printers,wired/wireless input devices 644, and so on. The computer 602 caninclude a modem or other means for establishing communications over thenetwork. In a networked environment, programs and data relative to thecomputer 602 can be stored in the remote memory/storage device, as isassociated with a distributed system. It will be appreciated that thenetwork connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishinga communications link between the computers can be used.

The computer 602 is operable to communicate with wired/wireless devicesor entities using the radio technologies such as the IEEE 802.xx familyof standards, such as wireless devices operatively disposed in wirelesscommunication (e.g., IEEE 802.11 over-the-air modulation techniques)with, for example, a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer,personal digital assistant (PDA), communications satellite, any piece ofequipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g.,a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes at leastWi-Fi (or Wireless Fidelity) for hotspots, WiMax, and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communications can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11x (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure,reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used toconnect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wire networks(which use IEEE 802.3-related media and functions).

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary smartmobile device 700 that processes notification and reminders inaccordance with the disclosed architecture. In order to provideadditional context for various aspects thereof, FIG. 7 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable environment in which the various aspects of the innovation canbe implemented. While the description includes a general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, those skilled in the art willrecognize that the innovation also can be implemented in combinationwith other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware andsoftware.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can bepracticed with other system configurations, including single-processoror multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as wellas personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-basedor programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The smart device 700 (e.g., a cell phone, PDA) can typically include avariety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be anyavailable media accessed by the handset systems and includes volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way ofexample, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise devicestorage media and communication media. Storage media includes volatileand/or non-volatile, removable and/or non-removable media implemented inany method or technology for the storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Storage media can include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital videodisc (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which canbe used to store the desired information and which can be accessed bythe mobile device systems.

The smart device 700 includes a processor 702 for controlling andprocessing onboard operations and functions. A memory 704 interfaces tothe processor 702 for the storage of data and one or more applications706 (e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software,etc.).

The applications 706 can include the reminder component (settings UI 302and reminder actions 310) of the system 100 of FIG. 1, one or more ofthe entities and components of the system 200 of FIG. 2, the mobileoperation system 326 of system 300 of FIG. 3, and methods as providedherein in FIGS. 4-5, for example. The applications also facilitatedirect (e.g., wired and/or wireless) communications with the externalsystems.

The applications 706 can also include a user interface (UI) application708 that operates with a client 710 (e.g., operating system) tofacilitate user interaction with handset functionality and data, forexample, answering/initiating calls, entering/deleting data, configuringsettings, address book manipulation, multimode interaction, etc. Theapplications 706 can include other applications 712 that came installedwith the device 700 and/or can be installed as add-ons or plug-ins tothe client 710 and/or UI 708, for example, or for other purposes (e.g.,processor, firmware, etc.).

The other applications 712 can include voice recognition ofpredetermined voice commands that facilitate user control, call voiceprocessing, voice recording, messaging, e-mail processing, videoprocessing, image processing, music play, as well as subsystems orcomponents described infra. Some of the applications 706 can be storedin the memory 704 and/or in a firmware 714, and executed by theprocessor 702 from either or both the memory 704 or/and the firmware714. The firmware 714 can also store code for execution in power-upinitialization and control during normal operation of the smart device700.

A communications component 716 can interface to the processor 702 tofacilitate wired/wireless communications with external systems, forexample, cellular networks, VoIP (voice-over-IP) networks, localwireless networks or personal wireless networks such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Max,and so on. Here, the communications component 716 can also include amultimode communications subsystem for providing cellular communicationsvia different cellular technologies. For example, a first cellulartransceiver 718 (e.g., GSM) can be one mode and an Nth transceiver 720can provide cellular communications via an Nth cellular network (e.g.,UMTS), where N is a positive integer. The communications component 716can also include a transceiver 722 for unlicensed communications (e.g.,Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Bluetooth, etc.) for corresponding communications. Thecommunications component 716 can also facilitate communicationsreception from terrestrial radio networks (e.g., broadcast), digitalsatellite radio networks, and Internet-based radio services networks.

The smart device 700 can process IP data traffic via the communicationscomponent 716 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home broadband network, apersonal area network, etc., via an ISP or broadband cable provider.Thus, VoIP traffic can be utilized by the smart device 700 and IP-basedmultimedia content can be received in an encoded and/or decoded format.

The smart device 700 includes a display 724 for displaying multimediathat include text, images, video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller IDfunction), setup functions, menus, etc. The display 724 can alsoaccommodate the presentation of multimedia content (e.g., musicmetadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics, etc.).

An input/output (I/O) interface 726 can be provided for serial/parallelI/O of data and/or signals (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE 1394) via a hardwireconnection, and other I/O devices (e.g., a keyboard, keypad, mouse,interface tether, stylus pen, touch screen, etc.). The I/O interface 726can be utilized for updating and/or troubleshooting the smart device700, for example.

Audio capabilities can be provided via an audio I/O component 728, whichcan include a speaker for the output of audio signals related to, forexample, indication that the user pressed the proper key or keycombination to initiate the user feedback signal, call signals, music,etc. The audio I/O component 728 also facilitates the input of audiosignals via a microphone to record data and/or telephony voice data, andfor inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The smart device 700 can include a slot interface 730 for accommodatinga subscriber identity system 732 that can accommodate a SIM or universalSIM (USIM), and interfacing the subscriber identity system 732 with theprocessor 702. However, it is to be appreciated that the subscriberidentity system 732 can be manufactured into the smart device 700 andupdated by downloading data and software thereinto, such as the accessinformation described herein.

An image capture and processing system 734 (e.g., a camera) can beprovided for decoding encoded image content. Additionally, as indicated,photos can be obtained via an associated image capture subsystem of theimage system 734. The smart device 700 can also include a videocomponent 736 for processing video content received and, for recordingand transmitting video content.

Optionally, a geolocation component 738 (e.g., GPS-global positioningsystem) facilitates receiving geolocation signals (e.g., from satellitesvia the communications component 716) that define the location of thesmart device 700. Alternatively, or in combination therewith, thegeolocation component 738 can facilitate triangulation processing forlocating the smart device 700.

The smart device 700 also includes a power source 740 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 740 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)via a power I/O component 742.

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosedarchitecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one ofordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinationsand permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-readable medium bearingcomputer-executable instructions which, when executed on a computingsystem comprising at least a processor, carry out a computer-implementednotification method, the method comprising: inputting a query to monitora target computing device relative to a geographical point of interest;configuring a reminder associated with the target computing device;monitoring the geographical location of the target computing devicerelative to the geographical point of interest; executing a reminderaction associated with the reminder based on the geographical locationof the target computing device relative to the geographical point ofinterest; automatically communicating a notification to a requestingcomputing device based on the geographical location of the targetcomputing device relative to the point of interest; and utilizing aprocessor that executes instructions stored in memory to perform atleast one of the acts of configuring, monitoring, communicating, orprocessing.
 2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 furthercomprising requesting approval from the target computing device tomonitor associated sensed data of the target computing device.
 3. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising defining aplurality of reminder actions associated with the reminder, and whereinthe plurality of reminder actions are executed when the geographiclocation of the target device meets geo-location criteria related to thepoint of interest
 4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 furthercomprising refreshing the query to include new points of interest notpreviously included in the query.
 5. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 4 further comprising executing the reminder action associated withthe reminder based on the geographical location of the target computingdevice relative to the new points of interest not previously included inthe query.
 6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprisingcommunicating the notification to multiple requesting computing devices.7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising filteringthe plurality of reminder actions associated with the reminder based onfilter criteria.
 8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein thepoint of interest is one of a class of locations specified inassociation with the reminder, and wherein the notification iscommunicated when the target device meets the geo-location criteriarelated to the point of interest for a location of the class.
 9. Acomputer-implemented method for providing notifications in regard to ageographic location of a target computing device, the method comprisingeach of the following as implemented by a processor on a computer:managing the configuration and approval of a reminder related to thegeographic location of the target computing device, wherein the reminderis based on the geographic location of the target computing devicerelative to a point of interest as determined by geo location criteria;monitoring the geographic location of the target device; andcommunicating a notification to a requesting device according to thereminder when the geographic location of the target device meets geolocation criteria related to the point of interest.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the target device is amobile device, and wherein the requesting device is at least one of acomputing device or a web server to which the notification iscommunicated.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, whereinthe point of interest is a single geographic location specified inassociation with the reminder.
 12. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the point of interest is one of a class of locationsspecified in association with the reminder, and wherein the notificationis communicated when the target device meets the geo-location criteriarelated to the point of interest for a location of the class.
 13. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising: identifyinggeo-location points of interest relative to a query; and refreshing thequery to include added points of interest and removed points of interestassociated with a geo-fence; wherein the reminder is executed uponmeeting criteria of the refreshed query.
 14. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 9 further comprising: processing a request from therequesting device to access geolocation information of the targetdevice; approving the request from the requesting device; and allowingaccess of geolocation information of the target device by the requestingdevice.
 15. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein thereminder includes a plurality of reminder actions that are executed whenthe geographic location of the target device meets geo location criteriarelated to the point of interest, and wherein the plurality of reminderactions comprises communicating the notification to the requestingdevice according to the reminder.
 16. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 15, wherein the reminder actions further comprise at least one ofnotifying contacts, calling a user device, or sensing and recordingsensor data in the vicinity of the target device.